Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Jared Allen Harmon, a 22-year-old resident of Lexington, South Carolina.

Nicholas Gracely convicted in South Carolina drug trafficking investigation

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that Nicholas Gracely was convicted by a Greenville County jury on October 22, 2024.

WaterSC working group convenes inaugural meeting to address state water resource planning

The WaterSC Water Resources Working Group is set to hold its inaugural meeting on October 30, 2024.

Bluffton man charged with child sexual abuse material offenses

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Rio Dirk Mahealani N. Galiza, a 33-year-old resident of Bluffton, South Carolina.

National Drug Take Back Day encourages safe disposal of unused medications

By Palmetto State News | Oct 25, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is urging residents to participate in the 27th National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26th.

York Co. man sentenced for possessing child sexual abuse material while on probation

By Palmetto State News | Oct 25, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has reported that Lawrence Tafoya, a man previously on probation for possessing child sexual abuse material, has been sentenced to prison after being found with thousands more files of similar content.

Spartanburg nurse aide charged with exploiting vulnerable adult

By Palmetto State News | Oct 24, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Lamesha Thompson, a nurse aide from Spartanburg, on charges related to financial exploitation. The arrest was carried out by the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) in collaboration with the Spartanburg Police Department.

Attorney General stresses importance of election integrity in letter to commission director

By Palmetto State News | Oct 24, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has communicated with State Election Commission Director Howard Knapp to emphasize the importance of adhering to state laws regarding election integrity. The correspondence focused on the issue of ballot harvesting, which is illegal under South Carolina law.

Newberry County man arrested for attempted sexual exploitation of a minor

By Palmetto State News | Oct 24, 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Christopher Mason Black, a 23-year-old resident of Little Mountain, South Carolina. Black faces charges related to the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest was made by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, with assistance from the Newberry Police Department.

South Carolina establishes trade commission to boost ties with Ireland

Governor Henry McMaster, alongside Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette and Ireland's Consul General Frank Groome, participated in a ceremonial signing of the South Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission Act (S. 621) in Columbia, South Carolina. The newly formed 15-member commission aims to enhance trade and investment ties between South Carolina and Ireland.

West Columbia man charged with child sexual exploitation offenses

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Joshua Washington Shoulders, a 29-year-old resident of West Columbia, South Carolina. Shoulders faces three charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by investigators from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force within the Lexington County Sheriff's Department. Additional support in the investigation came from the Attorney General's Office and the University of South Carolina Police Department.

Senator Graham demands transparency on ICC prosecutor misconduct allegations

Following reports of misconduct allegations against International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham is requesting the immediate release of records related to these claims. The allegations reportedly emerged in early May, coinciding with Khan's decision to cancel a planned visit to Israel and instead apply for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.

State attorneys general address antisemitism concerns at Columbia University

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has co-led a coalition of 25 state attorneys general in addressing Columbia University regarding concerns over antisemitism on its campus. The group sent a letter to the university, urging it not to yield to calls for divestment from Israel.

Governor McMaster to sign South Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission bill

Governor Henry McMaster, alongside Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, is set to participate in a ceremonial bill signing for the South Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission bill, designated as S. 621. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 23 at 2:00 PM.

Gov. Henry McMaster announces weekly schedule including bill signings

Gov. Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov. Pamela S. Evette, and First Lady Peggy McMaster have outlined their schedules for the week starting October 21, 2024.

Michael Leach steps down as director of SC Department of Social Services

Governor Henry McMaster has announced that Michael Leach, Director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), will step down from his position effective January 2, 2025. Leach was nominated by the governor in March 2019 and has served for over five years.

South Carolina enacts law against contraband telecom devices in prisons

Governor Henry McMaster has signed the Captain Robert Johnson Act into law, targeting the use of contraband telecommunications devices in South Carolina prisons. The ceremonial signing was attended by Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, S.C. Department of Corrections (SCDC) Director Bryan Stirling, and other state officials.

Benteler expands operations with $47.9M investment in Spartanburg County